No Surprises Act Disclosure

At Lonestar 24 HR ER, we are committed to transparency, fairness, and patient-first care. You are protected under federal law, which is designed to prevent unexpected medical bills.

What is the No Surprises Act?

The No Surprises Act is a recent federal law that took effect in 2022 to protect patients from unexpected or “surprise” medical bills—especially during emergency situations.

This law applies to most private health insurance plans, and it ensures you are not unfairly charged after visiting an emergency room.

Your Protections as a Patient

Emergency Services

  • You are protected from balance billing
  • You are only responsible for your in-network cost-sharing (copays, coinsurance, deductibles)
  • No prior authorization is required for emergency care
  • Your insurance must treat your care as in-network, even if the provider is out-of-network

What is Balance Billing?

Balance billing (also called “surprise billing”) occurs when a provider bills you for the difference between what your insurance pays and the full cost of the service.

Under the No Surprises Act, this type of billing is not allowed for emergency services.

What You Will Pay

  • You only pay your normal in-network share
  • Your insurance pays the remaining balance directly
  • Your payments count toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket limits

When Protections Apply

  • You have private health insurance
  • You receive emergency care
  • You receive care from an out-of-network provider during an emergency

These protections exist because, in emergencies, you often cannot choose your provider or location.

Good Faith Estimates (Uninsured or Self-Pay Patients)

  • You have the right to receive a good faith estimate of expected charges
  • This estimate includes the total cost of your care
  • If your final bill is significantly higher than the estimate, you may dispute the charges

What the Law Does Not Cover

  • Certain types of insurance plans (such as some short-term plans)
  • Services not covered by your insurance
  • Non-emergency care at out-of-network facilities

Our Commitment to You

  • We follow all federal and state billing regulations
  • We prioritize clear communication and transparency
  • We help patients understand their coverage and financial responsibility
  • We never want billing concerns to delay emergency care

Questions or Concerns?

If you believe you have been incorrectly billed or have questions about your rights, contact our billing team directly.

You can also visit the federal resource at:

https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights

Or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.

Get Care Without the Stress

Emergency situations are stressful enough—you shouldn’t have to worry about unexpected bills.

At Lonestar 24 HR ER, we’re here to provide fast, high-quality care with transparency you can trust.